Helen Astill

Through her practice over the years Helen has developed a passionate interest in the relationship between physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. While Ashtanga yoga is progressive in the asana sequence and addition of higher limbs practices, Ashtanga yoga on and off the mat is also highly repetitive and allows the practitioner to self-examine and learn the rhythms and variances in the human body, mind and heart. Through this self-enquiry people can expect to be more resilient in their lives and be generally more content as a result.

Helen brings her interest and experiences from the Ashtanga practice to her teaching, providing support and encouraging enquiry to new and established Ashtangis alike. In particular, Helen will help you learn how to practice sustainably avoiding injury, how activities peripheral to the mat can support your asanas, and how to use your practice to improve wellbeing and contentment. Her enthusiasm for life and the practice is infectious and sure to make your time at Sage Shala rewarding.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Gandhi

How long has yoga been an important part of your life, how long have you had a dedicated practice?

I started my yoga journey with Iyengar when I was about 25. At the time I practised at class and once or twice at home with friends. Later, I discovered Ashtanga yoga however the classes were only guided. It was about 10 years ago when I was first introduced to the concept of Mysore and have had a dedicated practice since this time.

What are your qualifications / what is your teaching experience / any specialty areas of study or experience?

I have recently enrolled in the Sage Mentoring program in which I spend time assisting in morning Mysore classes and teach Sage Beginnings classes under the guidance of Dana Longton. Outside the yoga room I am pursuing my interests in remedial massage through my teacher Ian Cheok.

How has yoga influenced, healed and helped you?

My yoga practice is the gift that keeps on giving!

Through yoga I have deepened my knowledge of physical wellbeing delivered by the asana practice. My asana practice has given me insight to the rhythms of my body and mind that in turn gives me better self-awareness and allows me to be more forgiving of myself.

I use several kriya techniques on a daily basis that allows me to live with more energy and better health. The benefit these kriyas have brought to me has also convinced my husband and sons who also apply a number of kriyas on a daily basis. This has helped us ease many common ailments that otherwise would have led us down the path of treating symptoms rather than preventing causes.

I am naturally a very analytical person and yoga has allowed me to accept that not everything can be explained and sometimes experiences can be simply enjoyed without being understood.

What is it you feel most passionate about sharing with your students and why?

Ashtanga yoga offers so many opportunities for a person to experience improved health and wellbeing – physical, emotional and mental – and therefore better quality of life. This is an opportunity that exists for all, young and old. In today’s world where growing old is almost a certainty, while the quality of life experienced is not necessarily guaranteed, giving people the chance to experience this benefit is very important to me.